Military and judiciary officials said the groups were suspected of funneling foreign funds to foment protests and instability and “influence public opinion in non-peaceful ways.” The groups and other rights organizations dismissed the accusations as an attempt to taint the broader revolution.

Following the collapse of Qaddafi’s regime in the face of an armed rebellion and a NATO-led air campaign, Western governments have voiced concern about violent extremists trying to exploit instability in the country or getting their hands on surface-to-air missiles.